Abstract:

Background: Self-medication with antimalarials is commonly practiced worldwide, but mostly practiced in developing countries like Tanzania. It is a primary measure taken by majority of people for uncomplicated malaria. Young adults, especially medical students, are reported to be more prone to this practice. This study was conducted to determine to prevalence and associated factors of self-medication with antimalarials among undergraduates at CUHAS-Bugando, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Methodology: The study was a descriptive cross-sectional study. Convenience sampling was used to select 350 consenting respondents. Semi-structured questionnaires were used to gather data concerning the prevalence and associated factors of self-medication with antimalarials among undergraduates. At 95% confidence interval, the P value of less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant.

Results: A total number of 350 respondents with the mean age 23 ± 2.8 years were involved in the study. The prevalence of self-medication with antimalarials was (56.3%). The main reason associated with self-medication practice was emergency of illness (40.9%). The most common antimalarial used for self-medication was ALU (61%) and the major source of the antimalarials used for self-medication was community pharmacies (75.4%).

Conclusion: The prevalence of self-medication with antimalarials among undergraduates at CUHAS-Bugando was high. The year (p value=0.004) and course (p value=0.002) of study were significantly associated with self-medication practice at 95% confidence interval.